Unwelcome exposure

Press, 19 July 1976, Page 6

Unwelcome exposure

Two players were forced from the field, suffering from exposure, and some matches came to a premature end as Siberian-type weather struck senior rugby in Christchurch on Saturday. The howling southwesterly wind was at its worst during the main game, between Christchurch and Marist, on a slushy Park south. In the second half, Tony Penny, the Christchurch half-back, ran from the field in considerable distress. He was massaged byclub officials and wrapped in blankets by St John Ambulancemen. Soon afterwards. Bernie Stewart, the Marist first five-eighths, had to be assisted from the field, also suffering from exposure. Mercifully, the result of the game was beyond doubt midway through the second half, and the referee, Mr K. Columbus, called an end to the ordeal.

Similar decisions were made by the referees of the Linwood-Lincoln College match, on the same ground, and the LJniversityBumside game, on the exposed Bumside Park. The bad weather blew' up shortly before the 1.15 p.m. start of the senior matches. Players were at the mercy of wind, rain, and icy temperatures. The covers W'ere down on Ijmcaster Park oval, and both senior matches were transferred to the south ground, where about 150 hardy spectators shivered on the side-lines, enjoying an afternoon’s free entertainment. They had a long wait between the end of the first match and the start of the second. But those who sought refuge under the leaking No. 5 stand were serenaded by some Lincoln College boys: the offering ranged from “Amazing Grace" to an untitled number about a man who had an unfortunate accident with a shovel.

Soon afterwards, Mr Columbus appeared, clad in a raincoat, to inspect the ground. “Is the game still on, ref?” called one man. “I don’t know,” replied Mr Columbus. “I can’t see any players.” Eventually, however, the players appeared with heads bent low, and the game was on. Five St John Ambulance officers were kept busy sponging the mud from players’ eyes. There was one flash of merriment in the midst of the suffering. Stewart’s replacement, eager for the fray, attempted to leap the wire strand at the sideline. He landed heavily in a puddle. The astuteness of the Christchurch manager probably contributed to his side’s victory. At halftime he produced a set of fresh jerseys. The team then rattled on three tries, and the game was called off.